Eurasian Oystercatcher
NameEurasian Oystercatcher
Common NameEurasian Oystercatcher
Scientific NameHaematopus ostralegus
FamilyHaematopodidae
Wingspan (cm)83
Length (cm)43
Weight (g)550
Plumage DetailsAdults typically have a solid black head, neck, and upperparts, contrasting sharply with a pure white belly and rump. A prominent white wing-bar is visible in flight. The bill is bright orange-red with a yellow tip, and the legs are pink.
Vocalization / CallLoud, piping 'kleep' or 'pic' calls, often given in a rapid, excited series, especially when alarmed or in flight. They also produce a distinctive trilling alarm call.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal, estuary, mudflats, sandy beaches, rocky shores, saltmarshes
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across temperate Eurasia, from Iceland and Western Europe to central Asia and Siberia. Winters mainly on European and African coasts, and south Asia.
Identifying FeaturesLong, bright orange-red bill, Distinctive black and white plumage, Pink legs, Red eye with orange orbital ring, Loud, piping calls
Description
The Eurasian Oystercatcher is a large, distinctive wader known for its bold black and white plumage and a long, bright orange-red bill. It is a noisy bird, often found foraging on coastal mudflats and rocky shores, using its specialized bill to pry open shellfish.
